Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why this year’s slaughter premium payments have not yet been made to farmers.

Ross Finnie: Payments under the slaughter premium are paid in two instalments - an advance, set this year at 80% of the total, followed by a balance payment, comprising the remainder. Advance payments began on 30 January 2001 to farmers eligible to receive premium under the Slaughter Premium Scheme (SPS) 2000. Payments totalling £3.5 million have been issued to date.

  Processing of balance payments is under way and payments started on 17 April 2001. This is in line with my department’s target of "mid-April" announced in the "Dear Producer" letter of 12 March 2001 which set out a planned schedule for CAP subsidy payments, a copy of which is in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

Bridges

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on establishing a new Forth Road Bridge Joint Board.

Sarah Boyack: Having considered the options and consulted with the appropriate local authorities, it is my intention that the new Joint Board should comprise 10 members. City of Edinburgh and Fife Councils should have four members each, with Perth & Kinross and West Lothian Councils each having one. This will provide for a streamlined board best reflecting the major users of the bridge. We hope the new board will be operational by April 2002, subject to parliamentary consideration of the Order setting up the new board.

Construction Industry

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to combat rogue traders in the construction and related industries by expanding the remit of the building control system to cover quality control issues and whether its powers in this area would enable it to introduce compulsory registration or licensing for tradespeople.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The remit of the building control system is currently being reviewed, including the extent to which quality control can be encompassed. It is the Executive’s intention to publish a consultation paper outlining a new system in July. The regulation of the supply of services to consumers is, however, a reserved matter and any scheme requiring the compulsory registration or licensing of tradespeople would be for the UK Government to introduce.

Government Services

David Mundell (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13560 by Angus MacKay on 28 March 2001, whether it will send an official observer to the Promoting Electronic Governance Conference and, if so, whether it will make a report from the conference available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

Angus MacKay: The Scottish Executive sent an official observer to the Promoting Electronic Government (PEG) Conference held in Birmingham from 21 to 22 March 2001.

  The Executive has no plans to make available a report from the conference in the Parliament’s Information Centre. The PEG website (www.peg.org.uk) provides an information source for much of the work undertaken by PEG.

  Following the conference Executive officials have discussed with PEG how Scottish local authorities might take advantage of the work that PEG is undertaking. The head of the organisation has accepted an invitation to provide a short presentation to the Central Local 21st Century Government Forum (CLGF) meeting on 1 May. Mr Peacock will chair the meeting.

  The minutes of the CLGF meeting will be published on the Executive’s 21st Century Government website.

Health

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the free parking badge scheme to cover community nurses and health visitors.

Susan Deacon: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3168 on 22 March 2001.

Hospitals

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when figures for hospital-acquired infections in private and NHS hospitals caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus will be available.

Susan Deacon: Effective surveillance of hospital-acquired infection (HAI), of which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one cause, is a key part of the Executive’s approach to tackling this important priority within the NHS. A sub-group of the Health Department’s Advisory Group on Infection has been developing plans for a national surveillance system for HAI, including MRSA, in Scotland. The group has been asked to provide recommendations to the department and is expected to do so shortly. The group recognises the priority that needs to be attached to infections caused by MRSA. Once their report is received, I will be considering what further steps are needed to introduce surveillance of HAI across Scotland, and in what timescale.

  The application of HAI monitoring to the private health care sector is currently under consideration.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects the inquiries arising from the Chhokar case to report.

Colin Boyd QC: In my statement to the Parliament on 29 November 2000 I indicated that Dr Raj Jandoo had been asked to submit his report into the family liaison arrangements by April this year. I did not indicate a timescale for Sir Anthony Campbell’s inquiry into the professional decision making in the case.

  The Deputy First Minister and I have recently agreed with Dr Jandoo that his inquiry should cover not just the family liaison arrangements in the case but should also consider and comment on racism and its possible impact on the police investigation of the case because of an overlap between that and family liaison issues.

  In view of the extension to his remit we now expect Dr Jandoo to report by the end of May. We expect Sir Anthony Campbell to report within the same timescale. However, the precise timing of the reports is a matter for Sir Anthony and Dr Jandoo.

Legislation

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to review the entitlement of relatives to claim non-patrimonial loss under the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish ministers made a reference to the Scottish Law Commission on 22 March in the following terms:

  "To consider the provisions of the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976 that set out which relatives of a deceased person can claim non-patrimonial damages; and to make recommendations as to possible changes in the law."

  This reference has now been accepted by the commission and I would expect them to report back within a year. The Executive will consider any recommendations, and any resulting legislation would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Roads

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any analysis was carried out in relation to the effectiveness of existing street lighting along the A78 through Largs prior to that street lighting being replaced.

Sarah Boyack: Street lighting on all trunk roads is inspected annually as part of a lighting maintenance programme. During the annual inspection the street lighting in Largs was considered to be life expired and required replacement.

Roads

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether particular local conditions can mean that additional or stronger lighting than the nationally recommended level of lighting is required.

Sarah Boyack: Road lighting is designed in accordance with national guidelines laid down in the Design of Road Lighting for All Purpose Trunk Roads and BS5489, the British Standard Code for Road Lighting. These documents require that lighting schemes should be designed to cater for local needs including safety and environmental considerations. This may require the installation of additional or lesser lighting units depending on the local circumstances.

Roads

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether any street lights along the A78 through Largs were relocated during the recent replacement programme and, if so, whether any residents who might be affected by any such relocations were consulted prior to the work being carried out.

Sarah Boyack: The new lighting columns were relocated to the centre of the footway in Main Street, Largs. Other columns along the A78 were generally located in similar locations to the previous columns. However, there may have been some which had to be relocated to avoid street furniture, junctions etc. There is no requirement to undertake consultation with local residents.

Roads

Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-12767 by Sarah Boyack on 7 February 2001, whether it has any plans to erect street lighting on the south side of the A78 through Largs on the stretch of Main Street between Largs railway station and Bath Street.

Sarah Boyack: There is an on-going lighting replacement programme in Largs which will be progressed as and when funding permits.

Roads

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what expenditure is currently planned for each of the continuing and new trunk road projects referred to in Scottish Executive News Release SE0818/2001 in each year from 2001-02 to 2005-06.

Sarah Boyack: The information requested is set out in the following table. These estimates may vary as procurement proceeds.

  


Motorway and Trunk Road Schemes
Estimated Costs 
  

2001-02
(£000) 
  

2002-03
(£000) 
  

2003-04
(£000) 
  

2004-05
(£000) 
  

2005-06
(£000) 
  



A68 Soutra 
  

1,295 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A726 West Mains to Peel Park Roundabout 
  

530 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A76 Enterkinfoot (Phase 6) 
  

525 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A77 Hansel Village Footbridge 
  

600 
  

13 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A77 Sandyford Roundabout 
  

600 
  

30 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A77 Turnberry Climbing Lane 
  

1,200 
  

50 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A87 Shiel Bridge Deck Replacement1


182 
  

7 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A9 North Kessock Junction 
  

50 
  

450 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A90 Bridge of Dee to Ellon Road 
  

177 
  

400 
  

10 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A90 Hatton Bends 
  

250 
  

750 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A90 Inchmichael 
  

3,900 
  

60 
  

60 
  

80 
  

0 
  



A90 Kinfauns (Phase 1) 
  

1,350 
  

75 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A90 Cammachmore 
  

600 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A90 North Anderson Drive 
  

570 
  

7 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A95 Advie Bridge Replacement1


280 
  

5 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A95 Cromdale1


140 
  

3 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A95 Gaich to Craggan 
  

1,085 
  

15 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



M73 Drumcavel to Mollinsburn 
  

610 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



M80 A80 to M876 (Jn. 5) 
  

600 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



M876 Bowtrees to Kinnaird 
  

640 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A828 Connel Bridge 
  

600 
  

610 
  

410 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A876 Erskine Bridge 
  

1,500 
  

500 
  

30 
  

0 
  

0 
  



M90 Friarton Bridge 
  

600 
  

9 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A1 Bowerhouse to Spott Road 
  

3,218 
  

170 
  

152 
  

79 
  

74 
  



A1 Howburn to Houndwood 
  

3,120 
  

1,116 
  

130 
  

81 
  

76 
  



A9 Bankfoot1


10 
  

350 
  

20 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A75 Chapelton to Bush o’ Bield2


300 
  

1,700 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A76 Crossroads 
  

1,190 
  

15 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A76 Gateside 
  

1,500 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A77 Blackneuk Improvements 
  

100 
  

500 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A77 Symington Roundabout 
  

50 
  

600 
  

15 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A92 Preston to Balfarg 
  

50 
  

2,670 
  

20 
  

20 
  

0 
  



A96 Newtongarry 
  

1,020 
  

1,500 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A830 Arisaig to Kinsadel 
  

6,900 
  

3,400 
  

261 
  

124 
  

155 
  



M8 in Glasgow (Jn. 22) 
  

50 
  

600 
  

25 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A90 Inchture 
  

1,700 
  

2,900 
  

55 
  

5 
  

0 
  



A737 Roadhead Roundabout 
  

100 
  

600 
  

500 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A75 Barfill to Bettyknowes2


32 
  

95 
  

1,741 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A75 Cairntop to Barlae2


108 
  

1,604 
  

1,638 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A75 Newton Stewart2


25 
  

75 
  

1,216 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A76 Enterkinfoot (Phase 7) 
  

10 
  

500 
  

500 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A77 Burnside Improvement 
  

50 
  

500 
  

500 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A78 Inverkip Street Rail Bridge 
  

300 
  

1,900 
  

35 
  

0 
  

0 
  



A8 Baillieston to Newhouse 
  

352 
  

16,000 
  

7,500 
  

488 
  

0 
  



A82 Dumbuck Junction 
  

0 
  

50 
  

850 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A90 Glamis 
  

500 
  

2,100 
  

50 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A90 Kirriemuir 
  

500 
  

2,100 
  

50 
  

50 
  

0 
  



A96 Coachford 
  

105 
  

2,602 
  

500 
  

0 
  

0 
  



M8 Gantry Refurbishment 
  

350 
  

350 
  

350 
  

30 
  

0 
  



M8 High Mast Lighting 
  

500 
  

500 
  

500 
  

30 
  

0 
  



M8 Kingston Bridge 
  

4,000 
  

6,500 
  

9,000 
  

1,000 
  

500 
  



A1 Haddington to Dunbar 
  

950 
  

24,360 
  

10,980 
  

1,075 
  

585 
  



A1 Thistly Cross to Bowerhouse 
  

35 
  

11 
  

50 
  

3,000 
  

50 
  



A75 Dunragit Bypass2 


68 
  

340 
  

340 
  

231 
  

231 
  



A75 Hardgrove2


24 
  

88 
  

88 
  

88 
  

88 
  



A78 Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston Bypass 
  

475 
  

3,780 
  

15,850 
  

13,000 
  

0 
  



A876 Kincardine Bridge Eastern Link 
  

50 
  

50 
  

2,750 
  

4,000 
  

0 
  



A876 Kincardine Bridge3


510 
  

210 
  

500 
  

18,000 
  

18,000 
  



A90 Glendoick 
  

194 
  

53 
  

53 
  

4,500 
  

0 
  



A90 Kinfauns 
  

194 
  

83 
  

53 
  

4,000 
  

0 
  



A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch Bypass 
  

260 
  

750 
  

5,250 
  

11,000 
  

0 
  



M74 Northern Extension4


2,000 
  

3,000 
  

19,000 
  

30,000 
  

50,000 
  



M77 Malletsheugh to Fenwick5


2,010 
  

500 
  

0 
  

0 
  

0 
  



  Notes:

  1. Some expenditure incurred in prior years, with the exception of the A9 Bankfoot. This originally appeared in the announcement in March 2000 as a scheme greater than £0.5 million but the present estimate is lower.

  2. These estimates are based on the Route Action Plan costs and are likely to change once detailed appraisal and development has been completed. Some costs are also expected after 2005-06.

  3. Costs will be incurred beyond 2005-06.

  4. The profile of spend will be reviewed as the scheme is developed and decisions taken on procurement. Costs will be incurred beyond 2005-06.

  5. The costs shown are for scheme preparation, advance works and land only. Procurement is assumed to be Public/Private Partnership (PPP) jointly with the Glasgow Southern Orbital Road. The annual service charge in respect of the PPP will commence on completion and the Executive’s share will fall on the Motorway and Trunk Road Programme.

Scottish Executive Publications

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total costs were of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, internet connection of text, distribution and cost of launch, of the summary report The Scottish Budget .

Angus MacKay: The costs of publishing The Scottish Budget: Annual Expenditure Report of the Scottish Executive summary document are shown in the table:

  

 

£ 
  



Design* 
  

8,742 
  



Printing** 
  

9,369 
  



Internet connection of text 
  

440 
  



Distribution*** 
  

600 
  



  *Includes £400 purchase of photograph used by both summary and detail publications.

  **Includes £135 for work to both summary and detail documents.

  ***Estimate of costs of distribution.

  Costs of photocopying were met from within normal Scottish Executive running costs. There were no launch costs.

  The committees asked for a large amount of additional information to be included in this year’s Annual Expenditure Report. Due to the resulting size of the detailed document we therefore also produced a summary, picking out the main points for spending in each area.

Sport

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to prevent the closure of local swimming pools and to encourage swimming as a healthy form of exercise.

Allan Wilson: Decisions on the provision of local sports facilities including swimming pools are a matter for local authorities. On the Scottish Executive’s behalf,  sportscotland spends around £600,000 per year on the development of swimming.